Anyone who travels on M-66 between Tuttle Road and David Highway may have experienced how precarious it can be to dodge vehicles leaving businesses along that area.

In fact, according to the Michigan State Police, some research indicates this stretch of road, particularly near M-66 and Tuttle Road, is the most dangerous in the county.

"It's compounded by a number of things, but improper use of the left turn lane to merge and not turn is the cause of many head-on collisions," said Lt. Brody Boucher, assistant post commander of the MSP Lakeview Post.

The purpose of a center turn lane is for making left turns. Drivers who use it to accelerate or merge into traffic are breaking the law and can be ticketed.

"Signs indicate the left lane is for turns only and pavement markings delineate the center lane as a turn and not a travel lane," Boucher said.

Recently there have been 18 accidents handled by officers from the MSP and Ionia County Sheriff's Office between Tuttle Road and David Highway. Four of those were injury accidents.

"Four is too many," said Boucher. "We'd like to get it down to none, and to do that we need to teach people the appropriate way to use the turn lane."

The MSP has passed out flyers to area businesses and asked them for their assistance in making the public aware of the law regarding use of the center lane.

Boucher encourages drivers to use the service drive to access businesses and exit using the traffic light at Sprague Road – and then not to make a left-hand turn until the way is clear and it is safe to do so.

"We realize there is traffic congestion at certain times of day, and that will be compounded when kids come back to school," he said. "Especially at times when the road is congested, make the left turn when traffic stops. If drivers make a blind turn into traffic, this results in injury accidents."

Boucher said there will be increased patrol next week on M-66 between Tuttle Road and David Highway. MSP officers will be looking for drivers making improper turns and engaging in other unsafe driving that increases the potential for accidents to occur.